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Journalists ask Anderson Cooper, Martha Raddatz to include question about open government in presidential debate

NEW ORLEANS (Sept. 20, 2016) - The American Society of News Editors, the Society of Professional Journalists and OpentheGovernment.org are leading a campaign asking presidential debate moderators Anderson Cooper and Martha Raddatz to include a question about open government in an upcoming presidential debate.

"They are in unique positions to ask each candidate about their stance and plan for an open government," said Andrew Seaman, SPJ Ethics Committee chair. "SPJ believes public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. Ethical journalists serve as watchdogs over public affairs and government. They also seek to ensure that the public's business is conducted in the open and that public records are open to all."

Journalists Cooper and Raddatz will moderate an upcoming presidential debate Oct. 9 at Washington University in St. Louis.

"We hope Cooper and Raddatz will use this opportunity to obtain solid answers from each candidate about how their administration will relay information to the American people," Seaman said.

As the debate's moderators, Cooper and Raddatz are charged by the Commission on Presidential Debates to ask about topics of broad public interest "as reflected in social media and other sources."

Twenty-six organizations that represent many working U.S. journalists ask Cooper and Raddatz to fulfill their roles as watchdogs by challenging each candidate to answer the following question:

What steps do you believe are necessary, and what policies would you implement to guarantee and advance public access to government information and sources?

"It's important that the belief and want for government transparency comes from the top down," said Lynn Walsh, SPJ president-elect. "Although the person serving as president does not control everything, they can set an agenda, tone and culture that encourages disclosure, and the public needs that more than ever now."

The campaign was announced today by Walsh and Seaman during the Excellence in Journalism 2016 conference in New Orleans.